Chemical composition database establishment and metabolite profiling analysis of Yangyin qingfei decoction.

The chemical fingerprinting and metabolite profile in a rat plasma sample after intragastric administration of Yangyin qingfei decoction (YYQFD, 14 g/kg) were investigated. First, YYQFD was analyzed by UPLC/Q-TOF MS to establish the chemical composition database by comparing their retention behavior, accurate molecular mass and MS2 data with those of references or known compounds in the literature. In this database, 100 chemical constituents with information on retention time, molecular mass, molecular formula, MS2 data and compound name were identified, which can provide compound information for further metabolite profiling studies. Furthermore, 64 compounds including 37 prototypes and 27 metabolites were detected in the dosed rat plasma sample, and the metabolic pathways of YYQFD were hydrolyzation, hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, glucuronidation, glucosylation, sulfation and mixed modes. Among the five component herbs in the YYQFD, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizome and Fritillariae Thunbergii bulbs were actively metabolized, contributing 16 and 7 metabolites, respectively. It is suggested that chemical characterization and metabolite profiling studies are valuable to elucidate the material basis of herbal preparations.

Novel Strategies Using Total Gastrodin and Gastrodigenin, or Total Gastrodigenin for Quality Control of Gastrodia elata.

Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata), a traditional Chinese medicine, is widely used for treatment of various neuro dysfunctions. However, its quality control is still limited to the determination of gastrodin. In the present study, two novel strategies based on quantitative evaluation of total gastrodin and gastrodigenin with base hydrolysis and total gastrodigenin with base-enzymatic hydrolysis followed by HPLC-FLD were put forward and successfully applied to evaluate the quality of 47 batches of G. elata from eight localities. Meanwhile, a systematic comparison of the novel strategy with the multiple markers and the Pharmacopeia method was performed. The results showed that the parishins category could be completely hydrolyzed to gastrodin by sodium hydroxide solution, and gastrodin could further utterly hydrolyze to gastrodigenin with ß-d-glucosidase buffer solution. The contents of total gastrodin and gastrodigenin ranged from 1.311% to 2.034%, and total gastrodigenin from 0.748% to 1.120% at the eight localities. From the comparison, we can conclude that the two novel strategies can comprehensively reveal the characteristics of overall active ingredients in G. elata for quality control. The present study provides a feasible and credible strategy for the quality control of G. elata, suggesting a revision of the latest Chinese Pharmacopoeia or European Pharmacopoeia methods for the modernization of G. elata use.

Analytical Techniques and Pharmacokinetics of Gastrodia elata Blume and Its Constituents.

Gastrodia elata Blume (G. elata), commonly called Tianma in Chinese, is an important and notable traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has been used in China as an anticonvulsant, analgesic, sedative, anti-asthma, anti-immune drug since ancient times. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the abundant efforts of scientists in developing analytical techniques and performing pharmacokinetic studies of G. elata and its constituents, including sample pretreatment methods, analytical techniques, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion (ADME) and influence factors to its pharmacokinetics. Based on the reported pharmacokinetic property data of G. elata and its constituents, it is hoped that more studies will focus on the development of rapid and sensitive analytical techniques, discovering new therapeutic uses and understanding the specific in vivo mechanisms of action of G. elata and its constituents from the pharmacokinetic viewpoint in the near future. The present review discusses analytical techniques and pharmacokinetics of G. elata and its constituents reported from 1985 onwards.